Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-08-30

nothing to me. W mat mattered it, said
her talk of Philip Caledon he was naught to
me, surely. Ft
was awakened in the afternoon from q
light sleep, into which had fallen, by soine
one announcing that Miss Clayton and her
daughter had arrived, Mrs. Kent came up
TO my room in some excitement
'You had better 60 down, Dorcas, and
greet them" she said; "Mrs. Iceberg evil
IDENTIFY thinks You are acquainted with them,
md has sent up word for you to meet them
hardly knew what TO do. dreaded to
20 down and encounter their naughty, in
sulting manners which felt sure they
would exhibit, and dare not stay away lest
II look suspicious.
Accordingly, urged by Mrs. Kent, / de-
scendcd to the parlor where found assem-
bled the Leibergs, Oliver Dudley, Mrs.
Clayton and her daughter, beside the physi-
clan and ono or two others.
It is not to be wondered Mt that I felt
some trepidation on entering. But, reso-
lutely swallowing my fears, / crossed TO
where Mrs. Clayton was standing with her
daughter, proud, beautiful Irma Barrett at
her side. Ibowed and extended my hand
10 thcm in token Of friendly greeting. But
what was my amazement and chagrin when
they only returned my salutation with a
naughty, inquiring stare, as If we were the
most distant strangers. j felt ready TO sink
with shame and modification for ] saw all
eyes were fixed upon me, and my first i'm
pulse was to rush from the room and hide
myself, drown myself, any thing only that
might be spared the insults this family had
heaped upon me. But the next moment my
proud spirit asserted itself. would not be
ouelled or beaten without q struggle.
stepped back cody.
u"You may or you may not recognize me,
Mrs. Clayton ] said, 'but we are not
strangers, you and ], however much you
may wish to impress these people to that
effect.n
Mrs. Clayton coiored and bit her Up. irTis
endeavored to annihilate me with glance,
but did not falter. Just at this critical
moment, when all were viewing me with
amazemcnt Mr.. Dudley stepped forward,
smiling and bowed in that courteous way Of
his, saying lightly, as IL it were tho most
natural mistake in the world, though I'M
derstood it oil;
ais it possible, Mrs. Clayton, that you
have forgotten our mutual friend, Miss
Lynnr'
/ felt rather than saw the meaning glance
he threw ct her from his brown eyes. But
Mrs. Clayton understood at once, evidently,
for she greeted me. In O rather constrained
manner, however, and Irma followed her
mothers example,. accepted it, for could
not do otherwise with those inquirihg eyes
upon me; but my anger was reused and my
checks burned hotly while my heart beat
fast and hard with q passion of rage and
grief. q = t
Silently we visited tho room where Miss
Armund was lying slumbering SO quietly.
Mrs. Clayton expressed sincere grief at her
friends death, but i saw that it was only
assumed for there was an undercurrent OF
Joy running through the whole of her af-
fected grief, and l saw she gave the orders
for the necessary arrangements attending
the interrment Of her friend with evident
satisfaction.
Mrs. Clayton had changed somewhat In
the past ten years. She was still handsome,
but there were dark lines about the proud
mouth, and heavy rings, that told OF sleep
less nights, under the largo liquid eyes.
Irna, too, locked worn and haggard; but
no wonder, / thought, when her twin broth
CIR is imprisoned on the awful charge Of muir
der. -
The funeral of Miss Armund was over;
the still, withered form had been consigned
to mother-earth, and we were all again as
sembled in the dull, fire-lighted parlor
at Mrs. Leiberg's. A strange hush fell
over the room at first, as if all were waiting
to hear something Of Importance; but pres
entity Mrs. Clayton arose and spoke some
what hurriedly and sharply:
"Mr. Dudley" she said, "you informed
me that my presence and my daughters Gn-
dicating Irma, with nod toward herr, was
necessary here to attend TO some legal mat
ter pertaining to. the will of Miss Armund
What they are Lam sure can not imagine,
or how they can interest us; / am willing
TO hear them, however, but please be as
explicit as possible, as have important
business TO attend 10 yet today
She sat down, and Mr.. Rathbun, little,
white-haired old gentleman, arose. He an
nounced himself as Miss Armund's legal
adviser, and also that he held in his posses
sion her will and other documents of some
value he presumed.
Mrs. Clayton smiled. It was q smile Of
triumph and disdain. What did the will Of
the old, unloved woman amount TO, anyway
It said.
~ have no wish to cause you unnecessa-
ry delay, Mrs. Clayton said the old gem
tleman, politely; ~ will therefore proceed
at once to business
He then began to read the will Of Agnes
Armund, which bequeathed to an asylum |
for INDECENT widows her entire fortune, |
which consisted Of ten thousand dollars, |
which amount would be found deposited in |
the B. bank, and II also appointed MP. |
Rathbun and Oliver Dudley as executors.
Tho lawyer laid down the will when no
had finished reading 1t. Mrs. Clayton made
a movement TO rise and leave, but he de-
tanned her with q motion of his hand.
Be patient, please, he said; ''this other |
paper l have here is probably the one in |
which you are concerned"
He held up q sealed packet.
'''This," he continued, twas given me by |
Miss Armund about year ago; Of its con-
tents know nothing, but she requested me
10 read il at the same time should her
will; will now do So"
He tore open the packet, disclosing
several sheets of note paper closely written.
Mrs. Clayton turned pale, saw her
gasp suddenly, as If choked; but the next
Instant she regained her self-composure.
The lawyer began To read slowly every
word being distinctly heard in the dead
stiffness that reigned, even the clock
licked less loudly than before It seemed.
''Years ago." the letter or statement ran,
there lived in Al family known as the
Caledons; they were q proud race, rich as